Town, police department to hold glow run Saturday

Published: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 4:40 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 4:40 p.m.

Nearly 500 participants have signed up to traverse the darkened streets of Columbus Saturday night in a Race for the Fallen, with glow-in-the-dark trinkets to light the way.

The town of Columbus and the Columbus Police Department will host the Police Benevolent Foundation Race for the Fallen 5K, starting with food, music and festivities at 5 p.m. The race will start at 7 p.m., beginning and ending at the Polk County courthouse on Courthouse Street in Columbus.

The 5K run/walk will be held as a “glow run” after sundown, according to a Tuesday news release from the town of Columbus and Columbus Police Chief Chris Beddingfield. Residents in the areas of Peak and Blanton streets should anticipate traffic delays during the race.

Carrying the soft neon hues of glow-in-the-dark accessories, participants will light the way for a foundation that has been a beacon to officers in times of darkness. The Police Benevolent Foundation Inc. provides financial support to families of fallen officers, law enforcement scholarships and natural disaster support. The foundation also supports post-traumatic stress disorder training and suicide prevention for police officers.

“The Race for the Fallen was created to honor the brave men and women who risk their lives every day to protect our families,” according to the release. “The race is a tribute to the officers who gave their lives to protect our communities.

“Each year, more than 140 officers leave for work but don’t return home to the families who love and support them. The reasons are varied — they may be involved in an auto accident, they may be killed in an incident with a criminal, they may have performed a routine traffic stop to ticket a speeder, or they may have responded to a domestic dispute that took a deadly turn. Regardless of the reason, the harsh reality is that the men and women of our local police departments, who have chosen to accept the honor of protecting our communities, often face deadly consequences that leave their families in dire straits,” according to the release.

The town invites all to attend the event. For more information, visit www.raceforthefallen.com.

<p>Nearly 500 participants have signed up to traverse the darkened streets of Columbus Saturday night in a Race for the Fallen, with glow-in-the-dark trinkets to light the way.</p><p>The town of Columbus and the Columbus Police Department will host the Police Benevolent Foundation Race for the Fallen 5K, starting with food, music and festivities at 5 p.m. The race will start at 7 p.m., beginning and ending at the Polk County courthouse on Courthouse Street in Columbus. </p><p>The 5K run/walk will be held as a “glow run” after sundown, according to a Tuesday news release from the town of Columbus and Columbus Police Chief Chris Beddingfield. Residents in the areas of Peak and Blanton streets should anticipate traffic delays during the race.</p><p>Carrying the soft neon hues of glow-in-the-dark accessories, participants will light the way for a foundation that has been a beacon to officers in times of darkness. The Police Benevolent Foundation Inc. provides financial support to families of fallen officers, law enforcement scholarships and natural disaster support. The foundation also supports post-traumatic stress disorder training and suicide prevention for police officers.</p><p>“The Race for the Fallen was created to honor the brave men and women who risk their lives every day to protect our families,” according to the release. “The race is a tribute to the officers who gave their lives to protect our communities.</p><p>“Each year, more than 140 officers leave for work but don't return home to the families who love and support them. The reasons are varied — they may be involved in an auto accident, they may be killed in an incident with a criminal, they may have performed a routine traffic stop to ticket a speeder, or they may have responded to a domestic dispute that took a deadly turn. Regardless of the reason, the harsh reality is that the men and women of our local police departments, who have chosen to accept the honor of protecting our communities, often face deadly consequences that leave their families in dire straits,” according to the release. </p><p>The town invites all to attend the event. For more information, visit www.raceforthefallen.com.</p>